This mug held an Easter egg, then drinks.It also helped David to get used to a new kind of money.

Decimal coins were introduced in 1971. By looking the side of this mug,you could work out how much something cost in old and new money.

Deborah Leach

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Deborah Leach

Deborah wrote a poem about decimal coins. It is read by an actress:

"One hundred new pence equal one pound.The fifty pence piece is not really round.The ten and the five remain as they were.But different values seem to occur.The sixpence is with us for eighteen months more.After that we shall be two and a half pence poor.

The tuppenny piece is worth more than it sounds.When changing back to shillings and pounds. The new penny piece is lovely and bright,And compared to the old is reasonably light. The halfpenny piece is easily lost,And banks won't accept it at any cost. All that remains for me to say Is hurray, hurray for decimal day."

Learning to use decimal coins

On 15 February 1971 Britain changed its money. Under the new decimal system there were 100 pence in a pound instead of 240. Banks closed for four days so that they could stock up on new coins.

The Decimal Currency Board planned carefully and got people to change gradually.Shops often labelled goods with both old and new prices. Everything from mugs to pop records to souvenir coin packs carried the decimal message.

Find out more

To find out more about decimalisation
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